PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Valentine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rivers is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Superbeast. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Rick Rivers told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Valentine
vs
Rivers

185 cm
20
192 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

187 cm
24
190 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Valentine!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rick Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Summer Carpenter and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivers throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Rivers goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rivers does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rivers ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valentine moves away.
Rivers is looking to chop away at Valentine's legs.
Rivers lands a right hook to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rivers.
Valentine fails with a takedown attempt.
A good leg kick by Rivers.
Valentine is breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rivers just misses with a punch to the body.
Valentine avoids the body shot from Rivers.
Rivers throws a front kick aimed at Valentine's knee but Valentine avoids it well.
Rivers swings for the body but Valentine moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Valentine.
Valentine sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers works Valentine's body with a nice hook.
Valentine takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rivers connects with a good right hand that stumbles Valentine. Valentine circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rivers.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rick Rivers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivers chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rivers fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rivers looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rivers throws a head kick that misses.
Rivers throws a leg kick but Valentine checks it.
A head kick misses from Rivers.
Valentine ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
Rivers throws a chopping leg kick but Valentine manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rivers looks for the body kick but Valentine saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers misses with a body shot.
Valentine takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Valentine blocks a jab.
Valentine takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rivers just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivers throws a low kick but it's checked well by Valentine.
Valentine shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rivers lands with a hook. Valentine tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Rivers moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Valentine bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Valentine takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rivers connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Valentine uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rivers.
Rivers with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine moves out of range of the body kick from Rivers.
Valentine swings for the body but Rivers moves out of range.
Rivers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rivers swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Rivers throws an overhand right that lands on Valentine's shoulder, as Valentine tries to avoid the shot.
Rivers throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Valentine fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rivers avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Valentine. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valentine manages to avoid it.
Rivers ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valentine moves away.
Rivers scores with a shot to the body.
Rivers misses with a wild body shot.
Valentine will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Valentine fails with the takedown.
Valentine tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rivers throws a quick inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Valentine. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rivers.
Rivers is looking to slow Valentine down with leg kicks.
Rivers throws a good cross that connects.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rivers. Valentine shrugs it off though.
Rivers lands with a good body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rivers moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Rivers scoring well with a low kick there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rivers. That's going to slow Valentine down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Rivers dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rivers connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rivers misses with a body kick.
Valentine doesn't manage to clinch there - Rivers circles away.
Valentine displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rivers throws out the jab.
Rivers throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Valentine stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rivers looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Valentine is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rivers scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rivers throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rivers swinging wildly here.
Rivers misses with an uppercut. Valentine saw that one coming.
Rivers lands with a good body shot.
Valentine lands a right hook to the body.
Valentine thows a body shot but no joy.
Valentine takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers throws a leg kick but Valentine checks it.
A jab lands there for Rivers.
Rivers misses with a body punch
and Valentine counters with a low kick, right behind Rivers 's knee.
Rivers looks to land a body kick but Valentine moved away.
Valentine fails with an attempt to clinch.
Valentine takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rivers digs a good hook to Valentine's body.
Rivers moves away from the strike by Valentine.
Nice body punch from Rivers.
Valentine checks a leg kick.
Rivers looks to land a right hand but Valentine moved out of range.
Rivers leaves Valentine with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rivers moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rick Rivers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rivers sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Valentine somewhat.
Rick Rivers seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rivers lands a jab to Valentine's midsection.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rivers moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valentine on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rivers throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rivers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valentine was well out of range. Poor timing from Rivers.
Rivers throws a jab but it's blocked by Valentine.
Rivers thuds his shin into the meat of Valentine's side.
Valentine gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rivers.
Rivers jabs Valentine right on the nose. Valentine blinks but takes it well.
Valentine throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rivers.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rivers.
Valentine takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Valentine will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Rivers misses with a body kick.
Rivers connects with a looping right hand.
Rivers connects with a solid leg kick.
Rivers scoring well with a low kick there.
Rivers misses with an uppercut.
Rivers changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers scores with a nice right hand.
Rivers throws a jab but it's blocked by Valentine.
Rivers uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Valentine takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rivers misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rivers. That's going to slow Valentine down.
Rivers has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rivers throws a big shot that misses.
Rivers scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Valentine throws a hook but Rivers avoids it easily.
Rivers misses with a looping left.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rivers.
Rivers fakes the leg kick and cracks Valentine in the body.
Rivers turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rivers scores with a nice strike.
Valentine takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A jab from Rivers does it's job there.
Rivers paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rivers throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rivers moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Rivers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Valentine's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rivers digs a good hook to Valentine's body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rivers. That's going to slow Valentine down.
Valentine looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jab, jab by Rivers - just one landing.
Donk. Rivers catches Valentine right on the button with a cross.
Rivers wants to land a leg kick but Valentine is out of range.
Valentine moves away from the strike by Rivers.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Valentine might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Valentine dives in and grabs Rivers's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rivers pushes down on Valentine's head and hops out.
Valentine avoids the head kick by Rivers.
Rivers misses with a kick to the body.
Rivers dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Valentine throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rivers sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Valentine has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Rivers.
Rivers pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers lands with a thumping leg kick.
Valentine is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rivers sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rivers finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Valentine stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rivers.
Rivers throws a low kick but Valentine avoids it.
Valentine throws a hook but Rivers blocks it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rivers misses with an uppercut. Valentine saw that one coming.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rivers.
Rivers swings away with a body shot that misses
and Valentine counters with a straight right hand.
Rivers throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rivers throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rivers misses with a body shot
and Valentine counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Valentine uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rivers misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Valentine tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rivers swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Valentine. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivers misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rivers misses with a wild combination.
Rivers throws a looping overhand right but Valentine ducks down to avoid it.
Valentine shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rivers but Rivers pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rivers looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rivers connects with a single shot there.
Valentine chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rivers can pounce on him.
Good standup being displayed there by Rivers as he connects with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rivers finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rivers lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Valentine has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Valentine and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rivers takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Valentine lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Valentine.
Rivers chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rivers looks to land a body kick but Valentine moved away.
Rivers defending well as Valentine loads up on a big left hand.
Rivers swinging wildly here.

Valentine rushes Rivers and presses him up against the cage.
Rivers lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rivers as Valentine tries to tie him up.
Rivers lands a body shot in the clinch.
Valentine prevents a body shot from Rivers.
Valentine jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rivers walks away with a smile on his face. Valentine gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine fails with a takedown attempt.
Rivers throws an overhand right that lands on Valentine's shoulder, as Valentine tries to avoid the shot.
Rivers throws a big shot that misses.
Rivers throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rivers thuds a left hand into Valentine's body.
Rivers misses with a looping left.
Valentine throws out a loose jab but Rivers uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rivers throws a shot from downtown. Valentine moves away and avoids it.
Valentine avoids the head kick by Rivers.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Valentine shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Valentine was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rivers can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Rivers really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Valentine slips under a jab.
Rivers tries to move into range but Valentine moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Valentine shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Valentine showed some decent athleticism there.
Rivers tries to roll over but Valentine keeps him under control.

Valentine is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rivers has managed to free his arm - good work.
Valentine thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Valentine is trying to work for a kimura but Rivers is defending well.
Rivers is looking to control Valentine's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rivers avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine stalling away here and it's allowed Rivers to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valentine tries to free his leg and advance position but Rivers is retaining full guard.
Valentine trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Rivers manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Rivers trying to control but Valentine is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Valentine is on top in guard.
Rivers has control of Valentine's left arm, preventing Valentine from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Valentine loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valentine accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Valentine has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rivers bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Valentine's guard.

Valentine looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rivers controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Valentine looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rivers passes into side control.
Rivers taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine tries to improve position but can't.

Rivers decides to stand back up.
Rivers avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rivers throws a head kick that half lands.
Rivers throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rivers goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Valentine moves away from the strike by Rivers.
Valentine lands a nice hook to Rivers's body. Rivers takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rivers looks to land a right hand but Valentine moved out of range.
Rivers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valentine manages to avoid it.
Rivers just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivers swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Valentine.
Valentine avoids the head kick by Rivers.
Valentine ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rivers misses with a body shot.
Rivers thows a body shot but no joy.
Valentine lands with a hook. Rivers tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Rivers just misses with a punch to the body.
Valentine throws a series of punches but Rivers avoids them all with ease.
Valentine fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Rick Rivers will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rivers pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Valentine pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rivers is out of range and Valentine settles back down.
Valentine shoots in and drives through. Rivers sprawls well.
Valentine slips under a jab.
Rivers throws a leg kick that is checked
and Valentine cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Valentine slips a straight right by Rivers.
Valentine uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rivers.
Valentine walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rivers.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Valentine decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rivers slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rivers utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine throwing strikes but missing.

Valentine thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Valentine throwing strikes but missing.
Valentine trying to control the position from guard on top but Rivers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rivers wants to stand but Valentine is controlling the position.
Rivers keeping full guard, as Valentine tries to pass.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
No luck for Valentine with that takedown attempt.
Alexander Valentine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Valentine connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rivers momentarily.
Rivers looks to land a combination but Valentine avoids it well.
Valentine moves away from the strike by Rivers.
Valentine looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rivers lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Valentine throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Valentine tries to clinch up.
Rivers throws a hook but Valentine avoids it easily.
Rivers throws a jab but it's blocked by Valentine.
Valentine fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rivers throws a good cross that connects.
Rivers takes one on the button.
Rivers looks to land a right hand but Valentine moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers connects with a solid leg kick.
Rivers lands with a kick to the temple. Valentine shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Valentine feints and then cracks Rivers's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rivers down.
Valentine lands a jab.
Valentine missing with a left hand there. Rivers was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rick Rivers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rivers misses with a kick to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Rivers.
Rivers misses with a hook to the body

and Valentine counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rivers has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Valentine is working away from the top position though.
Rivers avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Valentine.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers wants to control but Valentine is keeping busy.
Valentine missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Valentine wants to work for an arm triangle but Rivers is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Valentine is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rivers sees it coming and defends easily.

Valentine is working for a kimura but Rivers is defending it quite comfortably.

Rivers makes his way to full guard, as Valentine worked for a kimura.

Rivers is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rick Rivers.
I've got Rivers winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 44:50
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 43:50
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Rivers! Rick Rivers retains his middleweight title!